Looking for value before Trade Deadline

With the 2019 NHL Trade Deadline (Monday at 3 p.m. ET) approaching, teams are making major decisions about their futures.

Though the spotlight tends to light up the big names at the deadline, players of all stripes can make a difference in the postseason. Recall that the Washington Capitals picked up defenseman Michal Kempny from the Chicago Blackhawks prior to the 2018 deadline for a conditional third-round draft pick, and he ended up playing in a top-four role for the eventual Stanley Cup champions.
Here's a look at some players who could bring that kind of value and perhaps provide better-than-expected returns.

Eric Staal, C, Minnesota Wild

The 34-year-old center has played 1,152 NHL games and scored 412 goals, including 42 last season, so it is hard for him to fly under the radar. But he has gone nine straight games without a point, leaving his production below his typical marks in an impressive career. The only other seasons when he scored at a lower per-game rate than this season's .63 points per game were 2015-16 (.30), when he was traded to the Rangers from the Carolina Hurricanes, and his rookie season in 2003-04 (.38).
He can become an unrestricted free agent July 1 and it has been widely reported he has a limited no-trade clause in his contract.
Staal still controls play and generates shots at a significant rate (2.83 per game), but of his 37 points this season, seven have come on the power play. In his first two seasons with Minnesota, Staal recorded 16 and 17 power-play points, respectively.
Given how much Staal struggled when he was traded to the Rangers in 2015-16, with six points (three goals, three assists) in 20 games with New York, there is some risk to acquiring him and plugging him into a new lineup. It's also certainly possible the Wild could try to sign him to a new contract.

Jesse Puljujarvi, F, Edmonton Oilers

The value here is based on potential. The 20-year-old forward has 37 points (17 goals, 20 assists) in 139 NHL games, which isn't going to generate a lot of suitors. He also has missed two games because of a lower-body injury and is on injured reserve. However, he was an efficient player in limited ice time for the Oilers last season, when he produced 0.83 goals per 60 minutes. He also has missed two games because of a lower-body injury and is on injured reserve.
Puljujarvi's production has fallen off this season to nine points (four goals, five assists) in 46 games for Edmonton, which is seven points behind the Colorado Avalanche for the second wild card into the playoffs from the Western Conference. But the No. 4 pick in the 2016 NHL Draft is young enough that a fresh start somewhere else could help him get his career on track.
Carl Hagelin, F, Los Angeles Kings
The market wouldn't seem to be buzzing for a 30-year-old forward who has eight points (two goals, six assists) 38 NHL games this season, split between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Kings. Hagelin, though, has some strengths that will undoubtedly appeal to playoff teams. In fact, the Washington Capitals obtained him on Thursday for a third-round pick in 2019 NHL Draft and conditional sixth-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft.
First, he remains an excellent skater and his ability to improve team speed and kill penalties is good fit as a middle-six wing.
Second, the puck tends to move the right way when Hagelin is on the ice. Since the start of the 2016-17 season, Hagelin has a relative shot attempt percentage of 3.57, which ranks 39th among forwards who have played at least 100 games through that span. His team gets a better ratio of shot attempts with him on the ice than when he's off.
Finally, and this might be the most appealing of all for teams envisioning a long playoff run, Hagelin has significant postseason experience. He was part of two Stanley Cup winners in Pittsburgh, in 2016 and 2017, and lost in the 2014 Final with the New York Rangers. He has played at least 15 playoff games in five separate seasons and has 121 games of Stanley Cup Playoffs experience, with 47 points (22 goals, 25 assists).

Nathan Beaulieu, D, Buffalo Sabres

The 26-year-old defenseman has played 28 games with the Sabres this season, with seven points (three goals, four assists) so he's not exactly a cornerstone piece, but Beaulieu has helped to push play in his limited role, posting a 4.68 relative shot attempt percentage, which leads Buffalo.
He could slide onto the third pair of a playoff team and potentially could move up the depth chart if needed. Beaulieu played 19:29 per game for the Montreal Canadiens in 2016-17, suggesting he could handle a more expanded role.

Nick Jensen, D, Detroit Red Wings
A late bloomer, arriving in the NHL in 2016-17, the right-shot was a solid third-pair defenseman in his previous two seasons, but the 28-year-old has taken a step forward this season. So much so that the Capitals traded for him on Friday, sending a second-round pick in 2020 and defenseman Madison Bowey to the Red Wings.
Since the start of the 2016-17 season, Jensen has a relative shot attempt percentage of 3.13, best among Red Wings defensemen (minimum 50 games). He plays 20:47 per game, third among Detroit defensemen, suggesting he could provide depth to a contender.
Jimmy Howard, G, Detroit Red Wings
The 34-year-old goalie has played his entire NHL career with the Red Wings and is delivering a strong season. His .910 save percentage ranks 19th among goalies to play at least 25 games, but his even-strength save percentage of .925 ranks 10th among those goaltenders. He's 17-16-5 with a 2.88 goals-against average.
Demand may be limited at the position for teams already in playoff position, but Howard could be a good insurance policy for a team with questions because of an injury or a slump.